Omaha daily bee., 1887-06-21
The Week of Jubilee.

Fifty years ago to-day Victoria was
proclaimed queen of England under the
title of Alexandria Victoria l., the first
name, conferred upon her by her Russian
godfather, having been subsequently
dropped, she prcferring simply
Victoria" The jubilee to celebrate the
semi-centennial of this event, for which
preparations have been in progress for
months past, was formally inaugurated
yesterday. But the crowning and eli
macteric act in this notable national
comedy, to which all Europe has con-
tributed royal countenance and sub
stantial evidences of sympathy. will be
performed today. Unquestionably the
occasion will be one of the most memoir
able in the history or experience of
England, Three other English
sovereigns reigned fifty years-Henry
ILL.,, Edward III. and George HI.-but
these events were honored by no such
consideration as will bestowed
upon the semi.centennial of the
reign of Victoria. Prob ably
never before, at any one time, has there
been on English soil so numerous a body
of the representatives of royalty as are at
present in London to-day. All the great
monarchial powers have their royal dele
gates, as have also those of less rank
among the nations, while almos tevery
ruler, great and little, has sent gift as
assurance of symathy with the occasion.
There will be such pageantry, pomp and
circumstance in London to-day as the
great metropolis has never before seen
cxcelled, if equalled. The loyal masses
will testify their deyotion with all the
hearty zeal and enthusiasm of which
Englishmen arc capable, and when to
night Victoria, queen and empress, re-
tires from the scene of royal pageantry
and public hilarity she will doubtless
have cause to feel that the loyal enthusi-
asm which greeted her fifty years ago
has descended to the present time, and
that she possesses at sixty-eight as much
of the respect and affection of her people
as was showered on her at eighteen. But
there will be manifestations of discomfort
and displeasure, which the pomp and
glamour of her majesty's environment
will not permit her to see.
The Victorian era, as it will be known
in English history, has certainly been a
remarkable one. 1t has been prolific of
achievements in the march of the worlds
progress unequalled in any other similar
period in the history of mankind. In the
great empire over which she rules il has
witnessed many political changes, many
domestic conflicts, many events that men.
aced the security and strength of the EN-.
pirc. but, through all, the nation has
passed to greater power and adv antages,
and is stronger and safer tot day than
ever before. Daring this eventful reign,
Victoria has seen seventeen ministries
rise and fall, with such statesmen at their
head as Robert Peel, Russell. Derby, Pal
mcrston, Disraell and Gladstone--men
prominent among the greatest
political leaders England ever pro.
| duced. There have been serious
intern ational complications aud several
foreign wars, but they have almost with.
| out exception resulted without disadvan-
iage, if not to the positive benefit, OF the
British empire. In the amelioration OF
the condition Of the people, which was
deplorably led bad at the time Victoria
assembled the throne. in the growth Of
educational agencies, aud in the increase
| of all the iustrumentaliIics which con.
tribute TO the welfare anu care OF the
people, England during this era has ad-
vanced greatly. 10 fully appreciate how
great this progress has been, can DO done
only by comparing the facts as thoy exist
to-day with those Of half century ago.
1t is perhaps needless to say that with